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At almost all Chicago tanning salons, you’ll find either an automated booth or an expert airbrusher, both at the ready to help clients quickly develop a deep tan—minus the harmful effects of UV rays. The secret lies in a specially designed formula called DHA made from sugar or beets. When converted into a mist, this formula interacts with skin to create an even, natural-looking tan. But in a city where cold weather dominates the forecast more than half the year, a way to maintain color can seem like an impossible luxury. Luckily, a spray tan in Chicago is easy to come by. Below, learn more about DHA, and find some salons where you can experience it yourself:How does DHA work?A spray tan isn't paint or makeup; it goes on clear. And it doesn’t affect melanin, the stuff that darkens skin exposed to sun. How does a spray tan work, then? It all comes down to a chemical called dihydroxyacetone—or DHA, as its friends call it. DHA is a kind of sugar; like food sugars, it can be derived from sugar cane or beets. When applied, it begins to interact with amino acids in the skin's outer layer and turn it darker. But it's not living tissue that it's after: DHA associates mostly with the dead skin cells that cover your body. As these cells naturally fall off over time—which they do so frequently that after about a month, you have an entirely new epidermis—the color fades gradually until it's back to its original state, usually after a week or so. That's why many spas in Chicago recommend exfoliating before getting a spray tan: if you remove the skin cells that will be first to fall off anyway, your tan will last longer.Can the color be customized?If spray-tan formulas all start out colorless, how can tanning salons offer different darkness levels? They simply up the concentration of DHA for clients who want to go darker. Those new to spray tanning should be careful, however. A higher concentration of DHA could mean a more orange tint, so starting at a light concentration and working your way up—or spacing out multiple applications at the same concentration—is wise. To counteract any tangerine tints, some formulas add a second chemical known as erythrulose. Derived from the sugars found in raspberries, erythrulose produces a reddish tint that complements the orange tones in DHA to create a more natural-looking color.Great! So where can I get a spray tan?Opinions differ on which salons offer the best spray tan in Chicago, but here are some excellent places to start: Leah Chavie Skincare Boutique, 2457 N. Halsted St., (773) 327-7051 Ultimate Exposure Tanning Centers, 140–150 W. Higgins Rd., Schaumburg, (847) 843-8267 Halsted Beach Tanning Salon, 3741 N. Halsted St., (773) 327-1005

With the city’s urban density and clusters of skyscrapers, you might not expect Chicago skydiving centers to exist at all, much less have a growing and passionate customer base. But they do—spots such as Chicagoland Skydiving Center and Skydive Midwest are about an hour’s drive from downtown, so city dwellers can get a taste of open air while staying close to home, and offer jumps almost every day of the week. Those new to skydiving surely have a million questions before their first jump, most of which are best answered by the staff at the skydiving center of their choice. But since the human body reacts in predictable ways to a free fall from an airplane, new jumpers would be wise to take some advice from the world of science for the best experience possible.Don’t Jump on an Empty StomachIn an emergency—whether real or perceived—the release of adrenaline causes a cavalcade of changes in the human body. Heart rate and blood pressure increase, pupils dilate and vision sharpens, and muscles contract. As the hormone shifts energy away from the stomach to the muscles, it disrupts digestive processes, which can result in mild nausea. For this reason, skydiving experts recommend eating a light meal before skydiving, since fasting can make you feel shaky and lightheaded, and a large meal in your stomach might not stay there for long.Spring for the Video PackageThe release of adrenaline during an emergency situation stimulates the vagus nerve, which causes a release of the neurotransmitter called norepinephrine. A little norepinephrine actually boosts memory, but too much can destroy memory formation. Combine that with the fact that a single skydive takes less than 10 minutes from jump to landing—not to mention around 60 seconds of free fall—and you’ve got a recipe for a forgotten memory. Most skydiving centers offer photo and video packages to document the experience, so you can watch and re-watch your exhilarating descent after the adrenaline has worn off.Bring a New Love Interest AlongIn addition to kicking in when we’re cold or afraid, adrenaline is also a key part of love and attraction. This explains why certain people can make our hearts race and our palms sweat. But research has shown that the reverse is also true: experiencing an adrenaline-fueling event with another person can actually boost your attraction to them. One study showed that when a woman gave a man her number after they crossed a high, rickety bridge to reach her, they were much more likely to call her than those who had crossed a safe bridge, and another found that non-romantic partners who rode roller coasters together found each other more attractive afterward. The lesson here: when it comes to romance, plummeting to earth together at 120 miles per hour beats out dinner and a movie any day.

Chicago is one of the largest cities in the world. It sprawls up and down the shore of Lake Michigan, encompassing more developed landmass than any city aside from New York and Tokyo. In this urban jungle, like a real rainforest, much of what makes the ecosystem thrive remains hidden from the casual observer. Among all the brick, mortar, steel, and glass that composes Chicago, oil changes can be hard to find. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of reliable technicians in just about every neck of the woods.Far North SideAB Marathon | 5550 N. Ashland Ave. When customers talk about owner Paul and his team of technicians at AB Marathon, the words “trustworthy” and “transparent” come up a lot. This crew doesn’t like to make unnecessary repairs, which allows them to be a bit more meticulous. That extends to oil changes—the mechanics notice just about everything going on under a hood while they work.Near North SideCassidy Tire & Service | 344 N. Canal St. Customers count on the Cassidy team for their honest opinions about which services are needed to keep a car running. They always scope things out when they do an oil change and keep vehicle owners posted on the state of the engine.Northwest SideRoyal Automotive | 5675 N. Elston Ave. This longtime neighborhood shop can’t be described by specialty. The resident techs are good at just about everything, from simple oil changes to complete collision repair. They’ve got lots of local loyalists who bring in their cars for every possible procedure.West SideGreen Wheels Automotive | 1540 N. Western Ave. As the name suggests, this shop specializes in environmentally friendly practices. The team is adept at repairing electric cars and hybrids but also provides oil changes for regular vehicles. They install a high-performance filter with every service and use re-refined oil for reduced emissions and greater engine efficiency.Near West SideWizard Werks | 1210 W. Lake St. This shop specializes in maintaining high-performance European vehicles, as one might expect from a shop near the Loop. It’s in the West Loop, just a short trip for anyone downtown. Their knowledge translates well to any engine, especially when it comes to keeping cars running longer with oil changes.Near South SideA-K Auto Mechanic & Body Shop | 2515 S. Halsted St. The large, full-service garage looks exactly as such institutions have for decades. Lifts hoist cars to give mechanics access to vehicles’ underbellies. Hoods stand propped open to admit technicians’ torsos. Such extremes aren’t necessary for a simple oil change, but the sights speak of a team that knows what they’re about. Customers tend to agree.Southwest SideCar-X Auto Service | 5418 S. Pulaski Rd. Owner Dan maintains a team of mechanics and technicians who’ve stuck around for years. They’re pretty happy, and they pass that happiness along to the customer with friendly conversation and bonuses such as rides to and from the shop while a car is being worked on.Far South SideUSA Muffler & Brake | 11044 S. Western Ave. These meticulous mechanics have been known to catch their dealership counterparts recommending wrong repairs from time to time. They thoroughly examine vehicles to track down the source of problems. They never recommend part replacement when a simple cleaning will do, and they run down every possibility behind a check engine light before recommending service.

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